POST MATCH REACTION: GAFFER'S COMMENTS

Sunday 10th September 2017

MANAGER Stevie Aitken was enthusiastic in his praise of Dumbarton's performance against Dundee United yesterday.

He said : “Credit to ourselves as a part-time team taking a point at Tannadice.

“Their aspiration is to win the league, rightly so, and our aspirations are to stay in the division, I think with performances like that, we've given ourselves a good chance.

Commenting on the defensive problems that allowed Dunfermline to score four goals in the last Championship game which had clearly been sorted for the Tannadice encounter, Stevie said: “That was two games ago, but the boys were solid last week against the Welsh team who are a good side who qualify for Europe.

“Yeah, we were outstanding defensively.

"Craig Barr marshalled the team well in the absence of Andy Dowie.

“I thought Dougie Hill was immense. Young Sam Wardrop for a young kid, I thought he was outstanding.

“We are a threat going forward. It was Greg Morrison's first game and he only joined up with us on Thursday and I thought he worked well. And Dimitris gives us a bit of quality.

“Overall we're delighted and we'll look to build on this for next week.”

Commenting on Tom Walsh's performance, the boss continued: “We challenged him because he's not been in the team in the last couple of weeks and we know the level he can play at.

“He's got all the ability in the world.

“He was a thorn in Dundee United's side. We just have to make sure we get more out of him more often.”

Kyle Hutton was originally named in the starting line-up but was sidelined at the last minute as the manager explained: “He picked up a knock on Thursday in training - we thought he'd be OK, but as soon as he tried in the warm up he pulled up again, so it was a forced change.

“But David Wilson who came on last week and got us the goal replaced him and I thought today he did well.”

“The boys worked hard. Can't complain if we get that every week.”

Sons now face Brechin City at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium on Saturday 16th September, kick-off 3pm.